Allowing presentation control of immediate content interrupting digital television channel programming

ABSTRACT

A channel programming associated with a channel can be selected. The channel can be associated with a programming broadcasting system. The channel programming can be displayed upon a presentation device. An immediate content from a content delivery entity interrupting the presentation of the channel programming can be received. The channel programming and the immediate content can be simultaneously presented on the presentation device.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to the field of digital content deliveryand, more particularly, to allowing presentation control of immediatecontent interrupting digital television channel programming.

Frequently, there are several current events such as a disaster and/oran emergency that can often be urgent and can require immediateattention. For example, current events such an earthquake, a planecrash, an oil spill, a tornado watch, a flash flood, or a snow storm canbe urgent events which can affect many residents of a local area. Whensuch events occur, a broadcaster and/or content delivery provider (e.g.,cable/satellite company) can select a time to deliver event informationas live breaking news while regular programming can be running duringthe scheduled time. For example, a viewer's favorite show can beinterrupted by a special report informing the viewer about an ongoingsituation. Typically the length of a live breaking news bulletin canvary from very short (e.g., less than 1-2 minutes) to very long (e.g.,over 15-30 minutes) depending on one or more factors such as severitylevel. Consequently, having news interrupting normal scheduled programcan raise many issues which can negatively affect the viewer'sexperience. For example, viewers can be annoyed that the program theyare watching can get abruptly interrupted by news not relevant to them.

One solution to minimize the interruption often utilizes scrolling textat the bottom of the TV screen. For example, the viewer may hear a beepto get their attention at the beginning following by the scrolling text.One disadvantage of this solution is the audio can often not beavailable. For example, when a viewer cannot see the scrolling text, theviewer can miss important information. Even when audio is availablealong with the text, it can still interrupt the current program.Further, the text can often be too small or can scroll too quickly forsome viewers to view. Another disadvantage is this solution lacks videowhich can be extremely informative and useful to viewers. As suchcurrently breaking news interrupts normal channel programming and can betoo intrusive for many viewers.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention can include a system, an apparatus,a computer program product, and a method for allowing presentationcontrol of immediate content interrupting digital television channelprogramming. A channel programming associated with a channel can beselected. The channel can be associated with a programming broadcastingsystem. The channel programming can be displayed upon a presentationdevice. An immediate content from a content delivery entity interruptingthe presentation of the channel programming can be received. The channelprogramming and the immediate content can be simultaneously presented onthe presentation device.

Another aspect of the present invention can include an apparatus, acomputer program product, a method, and a system for allowingpresentation control of immediate content interrupting digitaltelevision channel programming. A content engine can be configured tosimultaneously receive a channel programming and an immediate content.The channel programming can be presented upon a presentation devicecommunicatively linked to the content engine. The immediate content caninterrupt the channel programming presentation. A data store can persistan immediate content, a channel content, or a preference associated withthe immediate content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a set of scenarios forallowing presentation control of immediate content interrupting digitaltelevision channel programming in accordance with an embodiment of theinventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for allowingpresentation control of immediate content interrupting digitaltelevision channel programming in accordance with an embodiment of theinventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for allowingpresentation control of immediate content interrupting digitaltelevision channel programming in accordance with an embodiment of theinventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment for allowingpresentation control of immediate content interrupting digitaltelevision channel programming in accordance with an embodiment of theinventive arrangements disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is a solution for allowing presentation controlof content interrupting digital television channel programming. In thesolution, a content engine can permit the management of content (e.g.,breaking news) which can interrupt digital television channelprogramming. The engine can allow non-intrusive presentation of thecontent based on one or more user preferences. In one instance, theaudio and/or video of the content can be conveyed to proximate devices.That is, the content can be distributed to a proximate device (e.g.,tablet) which can be presented to a viewer in a non-intrusive manner. Inone embodiment, the content can be “time shifted” enabling a viewer toconveniently record and/or playback content at any time. In theembodiment, content can be non-intrusively recorded while channelprogramming is presented simultaneously. For example, a breaking newscan be recorded to allow channel programming (e.g., regularly scheduledprogram) to continue uninterrupted. In another embodiment, preferencescan be leveraged to permit immediate content to interrupt channelprogramming. For example, preferences can be configured to allow abreaking news report to interrupt a viewer's favorite television showwhen the report is about severe tornado alert in a viewer's area.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction processing system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction processing system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations foraspects of the present invention may be written in any combination ofone or more programming languages, including an object orientedprogramming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The program codemay execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user'scomputer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user'scomputer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remotecomputer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may beconnected to the user's computer through any type of network, includinga local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or theconnection may be made to an external computer (for example, through theInternet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions.

These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer orother programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a set of scenarios 100, 130,140, 170 for allowing presentation control of immediate contentinterrupting digital television channel programming in accordance withan embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Scenarios100, 130, 140, 170 can be present in the context of method 200, system300, and/or embodiment 400. In scenario 100, a channel programming 132and immediate content 136 (e.g., Breaking News A) can be conveyed to anend-user device such as a digital video recorder 124 simultaneously overthe same channel 116. The programming 132 and news 136 can beconcurrently presented on television 122 via one or more mechanisms(e.g., split-screen). In scenario 130, a picture-in-picture feature oftelevision 122 can be leveraged to present immediate content 136 (e.g.,Breaking News A) while viewing channel programming 132. In scenario 140,channel programming 132 can be presented within television 122 andimmediate content 136 (e.g., Breaking News A) can be presented oncomputer 146 simultaneously. In scenario 170, immediate content 136 canbe automatically time-shifted to a data store 176 associated with DVR124 while programming 132 can be simultaneously presented on TV 122. Thedisclosure can permit immediate content 136 which normally interruptschannel programming 132 to be non-intrusively presented. For example, aspecial news report about an earthquake can be semi-transparentlyoverlayed a car racing competition programming, enabling a viewer tocontinue viewing the programming while seeing news report information atthe same time.

In scenario 100, a TV broadcasting system 111 can provide channelprogramming 132 to an end-user device such as a digital video recorder124. System 111 can include traditional and/or non-traditional mediaprovider including, but not limited to, a coaxial cable provider, aterrestrial satellite provider, over-the-air media provider, and thelike. For example, system 111 can be a media provider supplying digitalentertainment and broadband Internet access (e.g., COMCAST). Channelprogramming 132 can include an audio stream, a video stream, and thelike. For example, programming 132 can be a thirty minute televisionshow interspersed with commercial breaks. Programming 132 can beselected via a user action including, channel selection, contentselection (e.g., pay-per-view), and the like. For example, a viewer canuse a DVR 124 remote to select a favorite show currently broadcasted bysystem 111. It should be appreciated that programming 132 can includepre-recorded content stored within system 111, DVR 124, communicativelylinked data store (e.g., data store 176), and the like.

Channel 116 can be a physical and/or a virtual channel over whichprogramming 132 and/or news 136 can be distributed. For example, channel116 can provide programming with shows about nature and wildlife. DVR124 can be a set-top box which can be communicatively linked to apresentation device (e.g., TV 122). DVR 124 can include, but is notlimited to, cable converter box, a personal video recorder (PVR), amedia server, and the like. TV 122 can be a presentation deviceconfigured to display programming 132 and/or content 136. TV 122 caninclude, but is not limited to, a television set, a monitor, a videoprojector, and the like. TV 122 functionality can include, traditionaland/or proprietary capabilities including, but not limited to,Picture-in-Picture, split-screen, multiple audio stream separation(e.g., Multichannel Television Sound), multiple content display,Descriptive Video Service, and the like.

Breaking news system 110 can be an immediate content 136 provider ableto convey content 136 in real-time or near real-time. System 110 caninclude, but is not limited to a content management system, a contentcreation system, a content distribution system, and the like. Forexample, system 110 can include a Television station broadcasting aremote news report from a journalist conducting a live news broadcast.Breaking news 136 can be a content which can interrupt channelprogramming 132. News 136 can include, but is not limited to, a newsbroadcast, a current event broadcast, a news bulletin, and the like. Forexample, news 136 can include a media event such as a presidential pressconference. That is, news 136 can be associated with a live electronicnews gathering activity such as a current event coverage.

In scenario 130, programming 132 can be presented within the viewingarea of television 112. In one embodiment, content can be presentedutilizing preferences 138 which can be automatically and/or manuallyestablished. Preferences 138 can include, but is not limited to, aspectratio, overlay mode, position, video settings, audio settings, contentcategory, and the like. Content 136 can be presented within apicture-in-picture section 131 of the viewing area of television 122. Inthe scenario 130, the programming 132 audio/video can be presentednormally while the video of the content 136 can be presented. That is,the audio of content 136 can be muted while content 136 video can bepresented enabling non-intrusive viewing of content 136.

In scenario 140, menu 142 can be utilized to customize viewing ofprogramming 132 and/or content 136. For example, menu 142 can be anon-screen menu associated with TV 122 and/or DVR 124. Menu 142 canenable multiple options for viewing content 136 easily. Options caninclude, but is not limited to, video options, audio options,notification options, forwarding options, and the like. For example,menu 142 can permit content 136 to be manually forwarded to proximatetablet 146 from a picture-in-picture view. That is, content 136 can beviewed and heard from tablet 146 concurrently with programming 132presented on TV 122. It should be appreciated that content 136 can beautomatically forwarded via menu 142, established preferences 138, andthe like.

In scenario 170, content 136 can be time-shifted enabling programming132 to be uninterrupted utilizing menu 172. Menu 172 can include optionsfor recording content 136, content 136 playback, and the like. In oneembodiment, content 136 can be recorded while programming 132 is viewedon TV 122. In the embodiment, content 136 can be persisted to a datastore 176 of DVR 124. It should be appreciated that programming 132 canbe recorded while content 136 is viewed. It should be understood thatcontent 136 can be silently time-shifted utilizing controls associatedwith TV 122, and/or DVR 124 (e.g., remote control).

Drawings presented herein are for illustrative purposes only and shouldnot be construed to limit the invention in any regard. It should beappreciated that a notification of content 136 can be presented on TV122 prior to content 136 presentation. For example, a pop-up dialogand/or icon can be presented indicating content 136 is attempting tointerrupt programming 132. It should be appreciated that the disclosurecan leverage secondary audio program capabilities to provide support formultiple languages for programming 132 and/or breaking news 136. Itshould be understood that the disclosure can be utilized tonon-intrusively present audio only feeds (e.g., radio news).

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method 200 for allowingpresentation control of immediate content interrupting digitaltelevision channel programming in accordance with an embodiment of theinventive arrangements disclosed herein. Method 200 can be present inthe context of scenario 100, 130, 140, 170, system 300, and/orembodiment 400. In method 200, a channel programming can be presented ona presentation device. An immediate content can be received which caninterrupt channel programming. Immediate content can be non-intrusivelydisplayed utilizing previously established settings such as userpreferences. It should be appreciated that method 200 can be performedin real-time or near real-time.

In step 205, a channel programming can be selected. Selection can beautomatically and/or manually selected. In step 210, selectedprogramming can be presented on presentation device. In step 215, if animmediate content is received, the method can continue to step 217, elsereturn to step 210. In step 217, the immediate content can interruptprogramming. In one embodiment, a notification can be optionallypresented indicating an immediate content is available for viewing. Instep 220, if user preferences are established for immediate content, themethod can continue to step 235, else proceed to step 225. In step 225,a preference configuration dialog can be optionally presented. Forexample, upon receiving of immediate content, an on-screen preferencesdialog can permit content viewing configuration. In one instance,preferences can include presentation options based on content category(e.g., political, business, health, etc). In step 230, preferences canbe processed and saved. In step 235, content can be conveyed based onpreferences. For example, health news can be conveyed to a mobile phoneand stored allowing a viewer to view the content at a later time (e.g.,at the gym). In step 240, if more immediate content is received, themethod can return to step 235, else continue to step 210.

Drawings presented herein are for illustrative purposes only and shouldnot be construed to limit the invention in any regard. Steps 215-240 canbe continually run while programming and/or content is presented. Forexample, steps 235-240 can be continually run for each immediate contentreceived by a presentation device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system 300 for allowingpresentation control of immediate content interrupting digitaltelevision channel programming in accordance with an embodiment of theinventive arrangements disclosed herein. System 300 can be present inthe context of scenario 100, 130, 140, 170, method 200, embodiment 400,and the like. In system 300, a content engine 320 can utilizepreferences 342 to permit control over immediate content 334presentation upon device 350. In one embodiment, engine 320 can be acomponent of a content server 310. Server 310 can be communicativelylinked to device 350 via network 380.

Content server 310 can be a hardware/software entity for providingchannel programming 332 and/or immediate content 334. Server 310functionality can include, but is not limited to, authentication,communication handling, and the like. Server 310 can include, but is notlimited to content engine 320, channel 330, immediate content 334, datastore 340, and the like. In one embodiment, server 310 can be acomponent of a server oriented architecture (SOA). In one instance,server 310 can be a proxy server able to deliver programming 332 and/orcontent 334.

Content engine 320 can be a hardware/software component for permittingnon-intrusive viewing content 334 on device 350. Engine 320functionality can include, but is not limited to, content aggregation,content management, and the like. Engine 320 can include, but is notlimited to, content selector 322, content distributor 324, presentationmanager 326, settings 328, and the like. In one instance, engine 320 canbe a component of a networked computing environment, distributedcomputing environment, and the like.

Content selector 322 can be a hardware/software component fordetermining content 334 to convey to device 350. Selector 322functionality can include, but is not limited to, content 334determination, content 334 verification, and the like. Selector 322 canutilize preferences 342 and/or settings 328 to select content 334. Inone instance, historic content selection can be utilized to determinecontent 334. Selector 322 can utilize traditional and/or proprietarytechnology to select content 334.

Content distributor 324 can be a hardware/software element for conveyingcontent 334 to device 350. Distributor 324 functionality can include,but is not limited to, content distribution, device 350 identification,presence tracking, and the like. Distributor 324 can utilize settings328 and/or preferences 342 to intelligently distribute content 334. Forexample, when News C content is selected, the distributor 324 canautomatically convey the content 334 to a mobile phone owned by aviewer. In one instance, distributor 324 can multiplex a contentpermitting multiple devices to receive the same content 334simultaneously.

Presentation manager 326 can be a hardware/software component forcontrolling content 334 presentation. Manager 326 functionality caninclude, but is not limited to, content 334 notification, preference 342option presentation, content 334 presentation, and the like. In oneinstance, manager 326 can be utilized to split audio and/or video ofcontent 334 over two or more devices. For example, manager 326 canconvey audio to an Internet-capable radio while conveying video to amobile phone. In one embodiment, manager 326 can be presence awarepermitting real-time and/or near real-time presentation of content 334based on viewer location. In the embodiment, presence information can beutilized to determine proximate to a viewer of programming 332.

Settings 328 can be one or more options for configuring the behavior ofsystem 300, server 310 and/or engine 320. Settings 328 can include, butis not limited to, selector 322 options, distributor 324 settings,manager 326 options, channel 330 options, content 334 settings, device350 settings, and the like. Settings 328 can be manually and/orautomatically established. In one instance, settings 328 can beheuristically determined. In the instance, a viewer profile of historicactions can be leveraged to determine content 334 selection,distribution, and/or presentation.

Channel 330 can be a physical radio frequency for conveying programming332 which can correspond to a virtual channel numbering system. That is,channel 330 can be a viewer selectable channel via device 350. Forexample, channel 330 can be a channel number “4” having two virtualsub-channels “4.1” and “4.2”. Channel 330 can include multiple channels,multiple sub-channels, multiple formats, and the like. Channel 330 caninclude channel programming 332 which can include live programming,pre-recorded programming, and the like. Programming 332 can include,free programming, paid programming, and the like.

Immediate content 334 can include a video stream, an audio stream, andthe like. In one instance, content 334 can be real-time or nearreal-time. Content 334 can include, but is not limited to, interactivecontent, non-interactive content, and the like. In one instance, content334 can include Web-based content. For example, content 334 can be aReally Simple Syndication (RSS) feed.

Data store 340 can be a hardware/software component able to storepreferences 342, settings 328, programming 332, content 334, and thelike. Data store 340 can be a Storage Area Network (SAN), NetworkAttached Storage (NAS), and the like. Data store 340 can conform to arelational database management system (RDBMS), object oriented databasemanagement system (OODBMS), and the like. Data store 340 can becommunicatively linked to server 310 in one or more traditional and/orproprietary mechanisms. In one instance, data store 340 can be acomponent of Structured Query Language (SQL) compliant database.

Preferences 342 can be one or more settings for presenting immediatecontent 334 non-intrusively. Preferences 342 can include, but is notlimited to, a content delivery option, a content presentation setting(e.g., preferences 138), a content identifier, a presentation action(e.g., forward), a device identifier, and the like. Preferences 342 canbe automatically and/or manually established. In one instance,preferences 342 can be presented within interface 358.

Computing device 350 can be a hardware/software entity permitting thepresentation of channel programming and/or immediate content 334. Device350 can include, but is not limited to, video output 352, audio output354, controls 356, and the like. Controls 356 can include, but is notlimited to, playback controls, recording controls, display controls, andthe like. Computing device 350 can include, but is not limited to, adesktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computing device, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, and the like.Computing device 350 can be communicatively linked with interface 358.

Interface 358 can be a user interactive component permittingpresentation of immediate content 334 and/or programming 332. Interface358 can be present within the context of a programming interfacebrowser, a content browser, a Web browser application, and the like. Inone embodiment, interface 358 can be a screen of a digital videorecorder. Interface 358 capabilities can include a graphical userinterface (GUI), voice user interface (VUI), mixed-mode interface, andthe like. In one instance, interface 358 can be communicatively linkedto computing device.

Network 380 can be an electrical and/or computer network connecting oneor more system 300 components. Network 380 can include, but is notlimited to, twisted pair cabling, optical fiber, coaxial cable, and thelike. Network 380 can include any combination of wired and/or wirelesscomponents. Network 380 topologies can include, but is not limited to,bus, star, mesh, and the like. Network 380 types can include, but is notlimited to, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), VirtualPrivate Network (VPN) and the like.

Drawings presented herein are for illustrative purposes only and shouldnot be construed to limit the invention in any regard. In oneembodiment, engine 320 can include presence capabilities able todetermine devices proximate to device 350 presenting a channelprogramming 332. In one embodiment, system 300 can be a component of acontent delivery system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment 400 forallowing presentation control of immediate content interrupting digitaltelevision channel programming in accordance with an embodiment of theinventive arrangements disclosed herein. Embodiment 400 can be presentin the context of scenario 100, 130, 140, 170, method 200, and/or system300. In embodiment 400, live breaking news content can be distributedand non-intrusively presented to a consumer endpoint device.

In news content delivery system embodiment 400, news content 413 can becreated from a content creation system 412 of a news content provider410. Content creation system 412 can be for local, national, and/orworldwide news creation. In one instance, content 413 can be distributedby content distribution system 414 which can dynamically convey content413 to multiple channels and/or endpoints. In another instance, content413 can be optionally distributed by a different service provider or acloud (e.g., news distributor 422) to specifically handle “breakingnews”. News content 413 can be delivered to a consumer 450 via contentdelivery provider 440 (e.g., set-top box) and can be presented on one ormore endpoints 452. For example, news 413 can be delivered to a newsapplication executing on a mobile phone via a news server residingwithin a cable box. In one embodiment, preferences (e.g., data 430) canbe established for a content producer, a consumer endpoint device, andthe like.

In one embodiment, data collector 420 can collect and/or manage viewerpreferences, viewer recorded news, and the like. In the embodiment,marketing analysis can be leveraged to heuristically determine how newsdata 424 will be conveyed to a viewer. For example, data 430 canindicate that many viewers set a pre-defined “Breaking News” defaultlocation (e.g., upper right corner with a size of 10%) which can besuggested as a default setting for a new viewer.

Drawings presented herein are for illustrative purposes only and shouldnot be construed to limit the invention in any regard. Embodiment 400illustrates one configuration of the disclosure and can vary withimplementation. In one instance, embodiment 400 can be a ServiceOriented Architecture (SOA).

The flowchart and block diagrams in the FIGS. 1-4 illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be processed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be handled in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

1. A method for controlling immediate content presentation comprising:selecting a channel programming associated with a channel, wherein thechannel is associated with a programming broadcasting system; displayingthe channel programming upon a presentation device; receiving animmediate content from a content delivery entity interrupting thepresentation of the channel programming; and simultaneously presentingthe channel programming and the immediate content on the presentationdevice.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the immediate content is abreaking news content.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe channel programming and the immediate content is presented in apicture within a picture (PiP) functionality.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the immediate content is overlayed on the channel programming.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the immediate content is automaticallyrecorded to a data store communicatively linked to the presentingdevice.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the video andthe audio of the immediate content is presented on a differentpresentation device proximately located to the presentation device. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein a dialog associated with preferences forthe immediate content presentation is displayed prior to the presentingof the content.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the immediate contentis received within a sub-channel of the channel.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the channel programming is presented by a tuner associatedwith the presentation device, wherein the immediate content is presentedby a plurality of tuners associated with the presentation device or adifferent presentation device. 10.-20. (canceled)